Dogs are amazing creatures, and they are really good at learning human facial cues. Which is why dogs are such great companions. Last year research even showed that there may be a scientific reason for their apparent ability to read our emotions.

Whether dogs are just eager to make us happy, or perhaps there is some evolutionary reason for their willingness to please us remains open to debate.

Swimming is not just good for your body, but also for your dog’s. That is, if your dog likes swimming. Some really don’t and would rather stay on land. But there are plenty of ways to make your dog comfortable in the water, it takes time and patience if your dog isn’t really a fan of water – it is worth the effort though. It is fun to join your dog in the water. A bit different from a walk in the park!

An added bonus is that dogs need to use more of their muscle power to get around in the water than on land, this is a great way to get dogs into shape. Regular swimming sessions will help build muscle. The added muscle mass can prevent injuries, especially at an older age. At first your dog may be hesistant to spend a lot of time swimming, this is quite normal. He or she needs to adjust to water – but you should see a gradual increase in time spend swimming.

Check out Fred Levy’s Black Dogs Project if you want to see more beautiful photos of black (and other) dogs. This image shows the kind Labrador Teddy.

Credit: pets4homes.co.uk

A Belgian Shepherd with lovely long hair. The Belgian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog, with a strong body yet allowing for elegant movements.

Credit: animalbreeds.com

The Barbet, with its origins in France, is a friendly dog – and said to be an excellent addition to any caring family.

Credit: kovesbercibetyarkennel2.weebly.com

This handsome dog is a Mudi, a Hungarian breed. They were originally bred to herd cattle. They are versatile and great to have around your farm, especially when you have a rodent problem! They will be most happy when they have plenty of space to run around in.

Dry skin isn’t a nice feeling at all. Your skin can get really itchy, right? Well dogs have the same kind of problem, yet they can’t just go out to the pharmacy and purchase a remedy. But, as the owner you can certainly help. Here are some remedies that might just help your dog.

Some of these remedies sound familiar, and actually they are! Plenty of dry skin treatments for human beings are applicable to dogs.

One such remedy is vitamin E. Give your dog a nice massage with vitamin E oil and he/she will thank you for it later. You can also buy foods rich in vitamin E, there are plenty of dog food products available these days with extra vitamins for your pet.

Are you using a dog shampoo? It is possible that your dog’s skin can not stand one of the ingredients, try a different shampoo – one that contains fewer aggressive ingredients. Oh and don’t use human shampoos, dog skin is different from human skin!

Photo credit photosz.com.

Brushing your dog’s hair regularly helps remove loose hair, which can cause irritation if left alone. The loose hair can build up and prevent the skin from breathing properly.

Could there be something in your dog’s diet causing the dry skin? Try a different diet, one containing fewer or no ingredients associated with dry skin – or, as mentioned above, see if a vitamin E rich diet improves skin hydration.

If you are going to change your dog’s diet by increasing the vitamin intake then it would be wise to consult your vet first.

Dry skin is associated with a range of different medical conditions. If your dog’s skin does not improve after treatment then you may want to pay a visit to your vet. Perhaps an allergy is causing the dry skin problems? Also note that some dog breeds, such as the Chinese Crested, are more susceptible to skin issues. Taking action early will help prevent more serious skin conditions from developing.